From the street, The Pinnacle appears unnervingly high and potentially difficult to walk. The good news is that it is not, and the views from the lookout make every bit of effort worthwhile. It is one of the very best vantage points in the Grampians National Park for terrific scenic views over a vast expanse of western Victoria.
There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest route to The Pinnacle departs from the Sundial carpark within the national park and ascends to The Pinnacle via Devils Gap. This is the best route to use if young children or unconfident walkers are part of your walking group. The 4.2km walk will take one and a half to two hours for the return trip. It does include some water crossings and rock-hopping, so good sturdy shoes are essential.
A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.
For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.
All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.
Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.
A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.
For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.
All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.
Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.
The Pinnacle walks
Hiking and bushwalking
Witness breathtaking natural scenery at some of Victoria’s most iconic places when you lace up your boots and take to a hiking trail.
Bird watching
From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Wildlife viewing
Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,
Brambuk The National Park and Culture Centre
Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap began with the building of the Brambuk Cultural Centre in 1989 to acknowledge, protect and share the cultures of the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples.
How to get there
The Pinnacle walks
Grampians National Park is located in Western Victoria, a three-hour (260km) drive from Melbourne and a five-hour (460km) drive from Adelaide. The central Grampians is easily accessed from the villages of Halls Gap and Wartook and is a scenic day trip from the regional towns of Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat. It is also a key destination on the internationally renowned Great Southern Touring Route.
When you're there
Download the Grampians National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Need to know
The Pinnacle walks
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2022
Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate from after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. Visit the seasonal road closures page for maps and more information. -
Grand Canyon Loop Walk (Grampians National Park)
Grand Canyon Staircase Closure
A steel staircase located at the south-eastern exit of the Grand Canyon is closed due to an engineering issue. The Grand Canyon remains open as a return walk from the Wonderland Carpark. The Pinnacle walk remains open via the canyon bypass walking track.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Mt Victory Road closure from October 3, 2022
Grampians National Park UpdateRegional Roads Victoria (RRV) are closing a section of Mt Victory Road in the Grampians National Park for up to three weeks from 3rd October 2022 for major works.Mt Victory Road closure from October 3, 2022- Mt Victory Road will
temporarily close between Wonderland Road and Silverband Road intersections
during rock removal and earthwork activities.
- All vehicles will be
detoured via the Western Highway.
- Access
to Boroka and Reeds Lookouts, Mackenzie Falls and Lake Wartook is from the
Northern end of the Grampians.
- If visitors do choose to detour this
closure using unsealed roads within the park, please note that these roads
are very slippery and rough due to on-going wet weather. Parks Victoria
recommends 4WD vehicles on unsealed roads during
the closure.
- Access to Wonderland Carpark will be available from Halls Gap, however this carpark will be extremely busy with limited parking. Parks Victoria recommends that caravans and large buses should not enter this area due to limited parking and turning space
- For further information on walking in the Grampians National Park or how to access other areas in the park during these works, please call into Brambuk the National Park Centre in Halls Gap or a local Visitor Information Centre.
Once earthworks are complete, Mt Victory Road will reopen to one lane as crews continue work. Traffic management will be in place to safely guide vehicles through the site in both directions. Delays are expected. The realignment works are expected to be completed by mid-December 2022. Please plan ahead when travelling and visit Regional Roads Victoria website for further project information.For ongoing updates about these changes, please visit the Regional Roads Victoria page https://regionalroads.vic.gov.au/map/grp_resurface_fye22/mt-victory-road-halls-gapAttachments: Mt Victory Road Detour Mapping_Digital (1,842KB)
Mt Victory Road closure from October 3, 2022
Grampians National Park UpdateRegional Roads Victoria (RRV) are closing a section of Mt Victory Road in the Grampians National Park for up to three weeks from 3rd October 2022 for major works.Mt Victory Road closure from October 3, 2022- Mt Victory Road will
temporarily close between Wonderland Road and Silverband Road intersections
during rock removal and earthwork activities.
- All vehicles will be
detoured via the Western Highway.
- Access
to Boroka and Reeds Lookouts, Mackenzie Falls and Lake Wartook is from the
Northern end of the Grampians.
- If visitors do choose to detour this
closure using unsealed roads within the park, please note that these roads
are very slippery and rough due to on-going wet weather. Parks Victoria
recommends 4WD vehicles on unsealed roads during
the closure.
- Access to Wonderland Carpark will be available from Halls Gap, however this carpark will be extremely busy with limited parking. Parks Victoria recommends that caravans and large buses should not enter this area due to limited parking and turning space
- For further information on walking in the Grampians National Park or how to access other areas in the park during these works, please call into Brambuk the National Park Centre in Halls Gap or a local Visitor Information Centre.
Once earthworks are complete, Mt Victory Road will reopen to one lane as crews continue work. Traffic management will be in place to safely guide vehicles through the site in both directions. Delays are expected. The realignment works are expected to be completed by mid-December 2022. Please plan ahead when travelling and visit Regional Roads Victoria website for further project information.For ongoing updates about these changes, please visit the Regional Roads Victoria page https://regionalroads.vic.gov.au/map/grp_resurface_fye22/mt-victory-road-halls-gapAttachments: Mt Victory Road Detour Mapping_Digital (1,842KB)
- Mt Victory Road will
temporarily close between Wonderland Road and Silverband Road intersections
during rock removal and earthwork activities.
Similar experiences
Reeds Lookout
Great views overlooking the Victoria Valley. Follow the path around the gate and along the sealed road to the summit of Reeds Lookout. From this magnificent lookout you will receive breathtaking views over Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range,
Flinders Peak Lookout
Starting from the Turntable car park, this walk takes you to the highest point of the You Yangs. This is a challenging walk featuring 450 steps and rising 200m in elevation.
The Horn
Enjoy a picnic with a view at The Horn before climbing to the highest point in Mount Buffalo National Park and surveying the folded mountains of the Great Dividing Range stretching into the distance.
